2 cases of Legionnaires’ linked to Schaumburg hotel: state officials

State health officials have linked two cases of Legionnaires’ disease to the water in a northwest suburban hotel.

The Illinois Department of Public Health said Friday that the bacterial disease was traced to the AmericInn by Wyndham Hotel in Schaumburg, the department said in a statement. On Thursday, state and county health officials inspected the hotel at 1300 E. Higgins Rd.

Both people who contracted Legionnaires’ reported using the hotel’s hot tub and pool in July and August, the department said. The hotel has voluntarily closed its hot tub and pool until an investigation is complete.

The department said the hotel reported no employee illnesses, and is sending notifications to all guests who stayed at the hotel after June 13.

A spokesperson for Wyndham did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

In 2018, there were 510 cases of Legionnaires’ disease statewide, with 242 confirmed to date in 2019, the health department said.

Legionella bacteria are transmitted through water droplets and can cause serious lung infections and possibly death. The bacteria mixes with the air in showers or fountains. Most healthy people are not infected after being exposed to Legionella bacteria.

Incidents of Legionnaires’ disease have risen over 500%in the United States since 2001, according to the Centers for Disease Control. The disease was discovered in 1976 during an outbreak at a Philadelphia convention of the American Legion.